Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Mitsubishi LANCER VS 2014 Dodge Dart Near Scottsdale, AZ

The Lancer SE/GT offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Dart doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Lancer and the Dart have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Lancer is safer than the Dodge Dart:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Lancer is safer than the Dodge Dart:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Lancer comes with a full 5 year/60,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24 hour roadside assistance. The Dart’s 3 year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Lancer 5 years longer than Dodge covers the Dart. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Dart ends after only 5 years or 100,000 miles.

The Lancer’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Dart’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

The camshafts in the Lancer’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The Dart Aero 1.4 turbo 4 cyl.’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the Dart’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Lancer has a 130-amp alternator. The Dart’s standard 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2013 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Dodge vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 29th in reliability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Dodge is ranked 31st.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lancer ES is faster than the Dart Aero (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Consumer Reports the Lancer ES is faster than the Dart SE (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Lancer ES FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Dart SE:

The Lancer’s standard fuel tank has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Dart Aero’s standard fuel tank (15.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Lancer’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Dart’s standard fuel tank (15.5 vs. 14.2 gallons).

The Lancer stops much shorter than the Dart:

The Lancer has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Lancer flat and controlled during cornering. The Dart Aero/SXT suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Lancer GT Sedan handles at .87 G’s, while the Dart Limited pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Lancer GT Sedan executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Dart Limited (27.7 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Lancer’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the Dart’s (32.8 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The Lancer’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the Dart GT’s (32.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Mitsubishi Lancer may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Dodge Dart.

The Lancer Sedan is 3.9 inches shorter than the Dart, making the Lancer easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Lancer GT Sedan is quieter than the Dart Aero:

The Lancer Sedan has 1 inch more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear hip room than the Dart.

The Lancer has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Dart (15.3 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Lancer easier. The Lancer’s trunk lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Dart’s liftover is 29.7 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Lancer’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Dart’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Lancer’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Dart SE/Aero’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Lancer’s standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over, or reaching to the back seat. Power locks cost extra on the Dart.

The Lancer has standard power remote mirrors. The Dart only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Lancer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The Intellichoice estimates that the Lancer will retain 48.89% to 51.3% of its original price after five years, while the Dart only retains 42.01% to 44.73%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Lancer is less expensive to operate than the Dart because it costs $261 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Lancer than the Dart, including $170 less for an alternator and $8 less for front brake pads.